Soliciting & Door-to-Door in West Covina, CA

If you live in West Covina or are thinking about moving there, soliciting & door-to-door are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. West Covina has 2 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of soliciting & door-to-door, and some of them might surprise you.

Solicitor Permits

West Covina requires anyone going door-to-door to sell goods or take orders to hold a commercial solicitation permit from the city's license collector under Municipal Code Sec. 14-188. Sec. 14-193 confines solicitors to 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., bars solicitors under sixteen unless accompanied by an adult, and bars knocking on any door posted with a "No Solicitors" sign.

Key details: Permit required: Sec. 14-188 permit from the license collector. Solicitation hours: 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. only. Minimum age: Under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. No Solicitors signs: Solicitors must skip posted addresses. Permit expiration: Expires no later than following June 30.

Soliciting door-to-door without a valid Sec. 14-188 permit, or violating the hours, age or "No Solicitors" rules of Sec. 14-193, is not listed as an infraction in Sec. 1-37.1, so it defaults to a misdemeanor under the Code's general penalty, Sec. 1-37(a): a fine up to $1,000, up to six months in jail, or both, with each day of a continuing violation a separate offense.

Compared to other cities, West Covina takes a harder line on solicitor permits. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

No-Knock Registry

West Covina requires a city permit before anyone can solicit door-to-door contributions for a nonprofit cause, and Municipal Code Section 14-184 bars solicitors from approaching any home or business posting a 'No Solicitors' sign. Solicitation is confined to 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., solicitors under sixteen must be accompanied by an adult, and violators risk permit suspension or revocation.

Key details: Permit required: Yes, for noncommercial solicitation. Allowed hours: 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.. No Solicitors sign: Bars contact at that address. Minimum solicitor age: 16, unless adult-accompanied. Receipt required: For gifts over $5.

Soliciting without a permit, continuing to knock outside the 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. window, sending an unaccompanied solicitor under sixteen, or approaching a home or business posting a 'No Solicitors' sign all violate Section 14-184 and can draw permit suspension. A solicitor with a disqualifying violent-crime conviction under Section 14-184(d) triggers immediate revocation, and a revoked permit holder cannot reapply to solicit in West Covina for one year.

Compared to other cities, West Covina takes a harder line on no-knock registry. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

The Bottom Line

West Covina is tougher than many cities when it comes to soliciting & door-to-door. Out of the 2 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in West Covina, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

This guide is based on West Covina's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.